I stay in an apartment complex, situated in Cox town area of Bangalore. Over the past couple of weeks I have been hearing a screeching sound – that of a bird – and I was under the impression that it could be the sound made by nesting Kites.
Barn owls, from David Whistlecraft on flickr
Last evening, the screeching started again, once the sun set, and I rushed to my window to catch a glimpse of the creature that was making this noise.
As luck would have it, I happened to notice a pair of birds perched on the shaft-sill (which encloses apartment drain pipes). I was overjoyed – more so because I think I sighted Barn owls, even though in the late evening light I really couldn’t make out the details. Am rather confident they are barn owls – watching Animal planet and the like helps I guess.
In any case I noticed them again today, just soon after sun set. Need to get binoculars to observe them better. Looks like they are nesting. A quick web search pointed me to the Bangalore Barn Owl conservation group. So shot off a note to Dr. Subramanya, who runs that group, about this sighting.
Am overjoyed; love owls, and didn’t expect to sight Barn owls in a city setting. This news item provides some more information on why this is beginning to happen: “What a hoot! Barn owls in apartments“
joel
26 January, 2011
Hi Sir,
can you please let me know if they still come to this place.I want to capture them in my camera too.you can reach me on 9845437051
regards
joel
Kiran
26 January, 2011
Joel,
They are still around. I haven’t heard them or sighted them the last week or so. By the way, just wanted to let you know that the photo on my blog is not one I clicked, or of the owls in my apartment complex – am using a photo available on Flickr.
You can drop me an email: kirsn_AT_yahoo_com
rkb
17 February, 2011
I’m visiting South City in Bangalore, and there are a number of these nests here, too. They start “snoring” at around 7 in the evening, and keep it up all night. I’ve spotted the owls a couple of times, but couldn’t photograph them.
shweta
18 February, 2011
spotted an owl on an apartment in jp nagar;looks like a barn owl but its whole body looked grey in colour including its face.have taken a pic but one will have to zoom the image n view it.